Rapid weight loss from eating a very low-calorie diet, or after weight loss surgery

Receiving nutrition through a vein for a long period of time (intravenous feedings)

Taking birth control pills

Symptoms

Many people with gallstones do not have any symptoms. The gallstones are often found during a routine x-ray, abdominal surgery, or other medical procedure.

However, if a large stone blocks a tube
or duct that drains the gallbladder, you may have a cramping pain in the middle to right upper abdomen. This is known as biliary colic. The pain goes away if the stone passes into the first part of the small intestine.

Symptoms that may occur include:

Pain in the right upper or middle upper abdomen for at least 30 minutes. The pain may be constant or cramping. It can feel sharp or dull.

Treatment

SURGERY

Most of the time, surgery is not needed unless symptoms begin. However, people planning weight loss surgery may need to have gallstones removed before undergoing the procedure. In general, patients who have symptoms will need surgery right away or soon after the stone is found.

A technique called laparoscopic cholecystectomy
is most commonly used. This procedure uses small surgical cuts, which allow for a faster recovery. Patients can often go home from the hospital within 1 day of surgery.

In the past, open cholecystectomy
(gallbladder removal) was most often done. However, this technique is less common now.

Medicines may be given in pill form to dissolve cholesterol gallstones. However, these drugs may take 2 years or longer to work, and the stones may return after treatment ends.

Rarely, chemicals are passed into the gallbladder through a catheter. The chemical rapidly dissolves cholesterol stones. This treatment is hard to perform, so it is not done very often. The chemicals used can be toxic, and the gallstones may return.

LITHOTRIPSY

Shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of the gallbladder has also been used for people who cannot have surgery. This treatment is not used as often as it once was because gallstones often come back.

Outlook (Prognosis)

You may need to be on a liquid diet
or take other steps to give your gallbladder a rest after you are treated. Your health care provider will give you instructions when you leave the hospital.

The chance of symptoms or complications from gallstones is low. Nearly all patients who have gallbladder surgery do not have their symptoms return.

Possible Complications

Blockage by gallstones may cause swelling or infection in the:

Gallbladder (cholecystitis)

Tube that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines (cholangitis
)

Pancreas (pancreatitis)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have:

Pain in the upper part of your abdomen

Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

Prevention

In most people, gallstones cannot be prevented. In people who are obese, avoiding rapid weight loss could prevent gallstones.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

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